Immunoadsorption or plasma exchange

[Petr75]

2019 Jan 30
Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Germany
Immunoadsorption or plasma exchange in steroid-refractory multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30698295

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Plasma exchange (PE) and immunoadsorption (IA) are alternative treatments of steroid-refractory relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS) or neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
METHODS:
Adverse events and neurological follow-ups in 127 MS- (62 PE, 65 IA) and 13 NMO- (11 PE, 2 IA) patients were retrospectively analyzed. Response was defined by improvements in either expanded disability status scale (EDSS) by at least 1.0 or visual acuity (VA) to 0.5, confirmed after 3 and/or 6 months.
RESULTS:
Hundred and forty patients were included in safety analysis, 102 patients provided sufficient neurological follow-up-data. There were no significant differences between IA and PE in side effects (3.9% vs 3.6%, P = .96) or response-rate (P = .65). Responders showed significant lower age (P = .02) and earlier apheresis-initiation (P = .01). Subgroup-analysis confirmed significant lower age in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) /clinical isolated syndrome (CIS).
CONCLUSION:
IA and PE seem equally safe and effective in steroid-resistant MS- or NMO-relapses. Early apheresis and low patient age are additional prognostic factors.